This pairs nicely with the situation that arose in the sixth inning in Baltimore this afternoon. Major League Baseball is likely to expand video review in 2014, reports the Associated Press. Commissioner Bud Selig, who has staunchly opposed expansion of replay usage in the past, says his view on the issue has “evolved”. After watching the Angel Hernandez and Fieldin Culbreth spectacles recently, it would have been more remarkable if Selig’s views had not evolved.

Some other interesting information from the AP article:

In tests last year at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, MLB experimented with the Hawk-Eye animation system that is used to judge line calls in tennis and the TrackMan radar software used by the PGA Tour.

[…]

The group is examining whether to have replay officials in booths at ballparks or at a central location, and whether to have umpires wear headsets, as soccer officials do. Torre is against giving managers a challenge system, as NFL coaches have, but says opinion is split.

Is there anything that marks you as a bitter, out of touch old person than defiantly opposing expanded use of technology?

“Oh the human element is what makes the game great.” No. No it isn’t. Because if the “human element” comes into play, it’s because they fucked up. And that is only “great” for the team that benefited from their fuck up.

That’s the thing I’ve never understood. If baseball had been invented with robot umpires and a perfect officiating system, nobody would be coming in and saying “You know what we need? Human error. More chaos would make this game way better.” And, yet, opposing replay based on the “human element” is the same thing.

Patient: TB?! My God, are you sure?
Doctor: Afraid so, but we caught it early.

Patient: So my prognosis is good?
Doctor: Depends. Are you a creationist?

Patient: Why yes, why do you ask?
Doctor: Because I need to know whether you want me to treat the TB bug as it was before antibiotics or as the multiple-drug-resistant strain it has since evolved into.

Patient: Evolved?
Doctor: Your choice. If you go with the Noah’s Ark version I’ll just give you streptomycin.

MLB makes it to the 20th century just 12 1/2 years into the 21st. Not bad. Looks like Selig’s immunity from embarrassment by his umpires is “evolving,” too. “Evolving” in this case meaning finally getting it through his thick skull that fans would much rather see fairly played games instead of umpires making negative headlines for the sport.